Mily Clement is one of the originators of the contemporary form of ''
salegy
Salegy () is a popular music genre from Madagascar. Originating as a List of Sub-Saharan African folk music traditions, Sub-Saharan African folk music style in the northwestern coastal areas of Madagascar, modern salegy is the genre of Music of M ...
'', a
traditional musical style of the northern coastal areas of
Madagascar
Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar, is an island country that includes the island of Madagascar and numerous smaller peripheral islands. Lying off the southeastern coast of Africa, it is the world's List of islands by area, f ...
. He grew up surrounded by the music of the ''
tromba'' spirit possession ceremonies in his community, and in his teens he became influenced by American and African guitarists, inspiring him to begin playing guitar. He began professionally performing guitar with local bands in
Ambilobe
Ambilobe which means "Where there are many plantations" is an urban municipality in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Ambilobe, which is a part of Diana Region. The town is the capital of Ambilobe district, and according to 2018 census ...
.
In 1988 he became a percussionist in the band of his contemporary,
Jaojoby, who had just begun to achieve nationwide acclaim. Jaojoby encouraged Clement to compose his own music. He was consequently invited in 1990 to provide music at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Island Games, attaining nationwide celebrity with the single "Tsy moramora mitady vola". The following year he performed on Afrovision. Stardom came when the International Conservation Organization selected his song, "Mandrora Mantsilany", to raise awareness of
deforestation
Deforestation or forest clearance is the removal and destruction of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then converted to non-forest use. Deforestation can involve conversion of forest land to farms, ranches, or urban use. Ab ...
and
conservation issues on the island.
[ Clement has not recorded albums internationally or become a frequent performer on the international festival circuit, but enjoys strong popularity in Madagascar as a classic artist of the salegy genre.][Anderson (2000), p. 526]
See also
*Music of Madagascar
The highly diverse and distinctive music of Madagascar has been shaped by the musical traditions of Southeast Asian music, Southeast Asia, African music, Africa, Oceania, Arabian music, Arabia, Portugal, England, France and the United States o ...
Notes
References
*
20th-century Malagasy male singers
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
21st-century Malagasy male singers
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